Lavina (Dinah) Reilly

April 17, 1943 ~ August 26, 2014

On August 26, 2014 Dinah (Lavina) Liddell Reilly of Wilton, CT and Van Buren Bay, NY died at home in the loving embrace of her children after a valiant battle with ovarian cancer. She was 71.

Dinah was born the 3rd of 4 children to Albert G. Liddell, Jr and Lavinia H. Liddell on April 17, 1943 in Pittsburgh, PA. She was graduated from Avalon High School in 1961 and from Rosemont College (PA) in 1965.

While living in New York City, lifelong friends introduced her to a tall, handsome Irishman named Martin W. Reilly. Petite Dinah and her 6’4” ‘’little honey’’ were married on May 24, 1969 and lived in Northern VA until moving to Wilton in 1983. She had many jobs over the years but enjoyed none so much as working in college admissions at Pace University and being a Mom.

Raising two children in Wilton provided ample opportunity to attend soccer games, tennis matches, track meets, ‘’booster club’’ meetings and volunteer opportunities. Dinah was an active member of the Philanthropic Education Organization (PEO), a Eucharistic minister at Our Lady of Fatima Church, a volunteer for Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Fairfield County, board member of the Van Buren Bay Association and lived her life continually doing for others and connecting with family no matter the geography.

Spending summers at the family cottage in Van Buren Bay created some of the best memories that she had, and that others have of her: Tennis, 4th of July bonfires on the beach, water skiing (into her 60s!), kayaking, beach walks hunting for sea glass, board games on the porch and just being together with family.

Her unbridled laughter, endless energy, positive attitude and selfless spirit will continue to be an inspiration to all those that were lucky enough to know her. Her absence leaves a yawning gap in the lives of her family and friends.

Dinah was pre-deceased by her beloved husband of 38 years, Martin, as well as her very much loved brother, David C. Liddell.

She is survived by: her two children Colin L. Reilly (Paige Kellogg, Reid and Abby) of Wilton and Maura K. Reilly (Marc Rossi) of Newtown. A brother, Dr. Albert G. Liddell (Mary Frances), a sister Patricia L. Greenhalgh (Peter), and sisters-in-law Joan N. Liddell and Mary T. Reilly. She will also be greatly missed by countless cousins, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate her life on Saturday, September 6, at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Wilton. Visitation will be held in the church from 10:00am to 11:30am. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30am. Interment will take place following Mass in Hillside Cemetery, Wilton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made out to the ‘PEO Program for Continuing Education’ and sent to: Dinah Reilly Memorial, c/o Anne Pollack, 26 Powder Horn Hill Road, Wilton, CT 06897.